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MOVIN’ ON UP

Think of an old-school blues-rocker, or a pop band from the 1960s and Tony Kelsey has probably been involved in some way or another. While busy working the circuit, he still finds time for local pub gigs with friends in the West Midlands. Lars Mullen heads into the Black Country…

PRIVATE COLLECTION

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

If there’s one thing that Tony Kelsey is even more passionate about that his guitars, it’s evangelising about the role that his neck of the woods has played in the in the growth of pop and rock music in the UK. “The West Midlands has played a major role in music industry”, Tony insists as we sit down to chat through his wonderful guitar collection. “The number of rock bands that came from this area during the British beat boom in the 60s and onward toward heavy rock, is quite incredible, the list is endless.”

Endless it might very well be, but Tony actually began his long and storied music career a fair bit further south. “I actually started my career playing the scene in London and joined Alvin Stardust’s band in ’79”, he recalls fondly. “TV and radio slots and touring all the big venues was an insight to pop music at that time. I had all the classic guitars, but I later started leaning towards Fender – mainly Teles and Strats – which I’ve since used with the likes of The Jess Roden Band, Mike Sanchez, The Robbie Blunt Band, Jim Capaldi, and The Move, who I’ve been with since 2010.”

About The Guitar Magazine

What do we think about the most talked-about guitar of the year? Find out in our May 2018 issue, on sale now. Inside, we sit down with Paul Reed Smith to talk out about the two-year design process that gave birth to the Silver Sky and we put John Mayer’s new PRS signature model through its paces in an in-depth 10-page review. The magazine also comes bundled with a FREE Joy Of FX magazine for every reader that includes reviews of Fender’s new-for-2018 stompbox line, new EarthQuaker Devices pedals, an interview with Way Huge pedal guru Jeorge Tripps and more.
Back in the main mag, we get up close and personal with Eric Clapton’s £25,000 writing and recording acoustic, check out The Temperance Movement’s live gear, interview Steve Morse and review even more hot new guitars, amps and effects from Eastman, Blackstar, JHS Pedals, Lowden and plenty more besides. We also salute the genius of Freddie Tavares and you can enter our competition to WIN a drop-dead gorgeous Lake Placid Blue Fender American Original ‘60s Telecaster worth £1,659.
The May 2018 issue of The Guitar Magazine is on sale in print and digital formats now. Essential reading for guitar addicts.